In, Rising Labor Costs in China and Their Impact on the Supply Chain , posted recently by Kinaxis, author, Jenny Tyrell offers an interesting perspective on some of the supply chain decisions affecting manufacturing companies with a significant global presence.

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G&D Integrated helps manufacturer’s streamline their supply chain through an integrated approach of warehousing, transportation and manufacturing services.

In, Applying Lean Principles in Process Industries, posted recently by Reliable Plant, the author puts forth the argument that although Lean and Six Sigma were pioneered by discrete manufacturers, the principles can be applied in a Process Manufacturing environment as well, stating,

“Three types of waste – waiting, defects and over-processing – do exist in process manufacturing and are fertile ground for the application of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies,” identifying several common root causes of waste and urging companies to stay focused on the Lean and Six Sigma principles more than on the tools.

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G&D Integrated helps manufacturer’s streamline their supply chain through an integrated approach of warehousing, transportation and manufacturing services.

The article give these key pieces of advice:

1. View your logistics provider as a partner, rather than a vendor.
2. Understand that the relationship has to be a “win” for both manufacturer and 3PL for it to work.
3. Share information upfront – during implementation – rather than down the road.
4. Be sure to establish a comprehensive Vendor Managed Inventory Program and utilize all relevant 3PL capabilities (for a list of G&D Integrated’s distribution services: click here).
5. Establish a list of “success criteria” or “key performance indicators” for the partnership.
6. Be sure not to neglect any internal or external entities that will be effected by the transition.

Head over to the Kinaxis Supply Chain Expert Community to read the whole article and watch a video interview with supply chain consultant Jason Vag of Sonoma Consulting Inc.

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G&D Integrated helps manufacturer’s streamline their supply chain through an integrated approach of warehousing,transportation and manufacturing services.

Last week CNN ran a report highlighting the passing of a house measure maintaining current tractor-trailer sizes and weights for three years. The House committee is waiting three years until a study can be completed on the potential costs incurred by allowing longer and heavier transportation assets on U.S. roads.

From CNN’s article:

The original legislation, which includes authorizing about $260 billion over five years for federal highway programs,contained a controversial provision allowing heavier tractor-trailer trucks on highways by increasing the federal weight limit from 80,000 pounds to 97,000 pounds. In some cases, it would have allowed 126,000-pound trucks onto highways

To read the full article, click here.

G&D Integrated helps manufacturer’s streamline their supply chain through an integrated approach to warehousing, transportation and manufacturing services. G&D’s technology investment helped one equipment manufacturer turn 45 LTL pickups into 10 milk runs, providing an annual savings of $1,250,000.